help with a routine

[olivialovesskin]

hello! im an teen athlete (swimmer) and I can’t find a routine that works for me. my skin is combo-oily in the summer and combo-dry in the winter. i have breakouts and enlarged pores, but I’m confused about dry patches in my oily areas. i don’t really know how to fix them. here’s my current skincare routine 

gel cleanser for normal to oily skin 

drying actives, like benzoyl peroxide 

light moisturizer Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Refillable Moisturizer 

[makeitup305]

@olivialovesskin I am not a dermatologist but I think that your skin is likely dehydrated instead of oily- you're overproducing oil because your skin lacks water/moisture. Between the chlorine and the benzoyl peroxide you might be stripping your skin of all the moisture and oil it has. I would try switching to a less stripping cleanser maybe the Cerave or Cetaphil Hydrating Cleanser or the COSRX Good Morning cleanser. Then, topping it off with a hydrating toner or mist like the Curel Deep Moisture spray or the Elf Pure Skin toner. You can add a hydrating serum or essence on top and then seal that in with your moisturizer. You can find a gentle exfoliator like the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for Clear Skin once or twice a week can help you get rid of the dry patches.

Hope this helps!

[olivialovesskin]

Thank you!